Illicit relations to blame for increase in murder cases

Illicit relations have become one of the major reasons of murders in Ludhiana. Out of total 48 murders reported this year, police have solved 32 and of these solved cases 11 took place due to illicit relations.

According to police officials, these cases were such wherein estranged relations between husband and wife deteriorated to an extreme, thereby resulting in one partner getting involved in an extramarital affair.

The officials further disclosed that women police station was flooded with applications in which either the husband or the wife had levelled allegations of infidelity against his of her partner.

The police officials said it was a matter of social values. They added that mobile phones were another reason behind the increasing tension between couples.

"It is evident from the call details of the accused in all such cases that illicit relationships developed owing to easy communication through mobile phones."

However, psychologists and psychiatrists term thin tolerance levels and increasing consumerism in the institution of marriage as the reasons behind illicit relations.

On the other hand, the data provided by the Ludhiana police commissionerate points towards 48 murders reported this year in the city. So far the police have solved 32 murders, including 17 blind murders. Some of the most talked-about murders include the cold-blooded double murder of Moga DSP Balraj Singh Gill and Monika Kapila and murder case of KFC manager Maninder Kaur.

Among 32 solved cases, eight took place due to property issues, while seven were reportedly related to old rivalry. Sudden quarrel was found another main reason behind six murders this year.

The police officials have been claiming slight decrease in murder cases as compared to last year. In 2011, 52 murder cases were reported, including the murder of ASI Gurdyal Singh which is still lying unsolved.

This year 38 cases of attempt to murder were reported, in which old rivalry was the main reason behind five cases. Seven such cases took place due to property issue and four cases due to monetary reasons.

Murders committed due to 'illicit relations'Case 1: Mohan Choudhary, a migrant of Prem Nagar, had killed his wife Seema and daughter Anshu. The accused demurred the character of her wife in June this year. Accused Mohan Choudhary was suspicious that his wife had an illicit relationship, thus he tried to coax his daughter into divulging the name. However, his daughter expressed ignorance on the issue that added to Mohan's fury and he strangulated the child.

Case 2: An elderly woman, Nirmala Devi, of Company Bagh Colony of Tibba Road was found murdered in her house on August 25. The Basti Jodhewal police solved the case with in a few hours and arrested her daughter-in-law Vijayta and her paramour for the murder. Nirmala Devi was aware of the illicit relations of her daughter-in-law and had scolded her over the issue. To get rid of her mother-in-law, Vijayta had hatched the conspiracy with her paramour.

Case 3: Labourer Om Parkash of Harmeet Colony was murdered by his acquaintance Vinod and two others on August 27 in the Haibowal area. Om Parkash allegedly had illicit relations with Vinod's wife. Fumed Vinod had sent his wife to the village and murdered Om Parkash.